Life Lessons - Discovering the Power Through Dependency

Life Lessons February 3, 2013
Back to the Basics
Spike Hogan
DISCOVERING THE POWER THROUGH DEPENDANCY
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez,
saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that
You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me...”
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)
It was by God’s hand all things were CREATED
“It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth. The palm of my right hand spread
out the heavens above. I spoke, and they came into being.” Isaiah 48:13 (NLT)
“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work
of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
It is God’s hand that PROVIDES our EVERY NEED.
“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord
upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.”
Psalm 145:13b-15 (NIV)
It is God’s hand that PROTECTS us and keeps us SAFE
“With your hand you drove out the nations...It was not by their sword that they won the
land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light
of your face, for you loved them.”
Psalm 44:2-3 (NIV)
It is God’s hand that will HOLD us UP in times of TROUBLE
“Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
It is God’s hand that will LEAD us and GUIDE us
“The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)
God’s hand will CORRECT us when we STRAY.
“For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat
of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I
will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 32:4, 5 (NIV)
God’s hands were PIERCED for us
“My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have
pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body. My enemies stare at me and
gloat. They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments.”
Psalm 22:16-18 (NLT)
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and
put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my
God!’”
John 20:27-28 (NIV)
God’s hand REACHES OUT to us even when we TURN our BACK on Him.
“I reached out day after day to a people who turned their backs on me, People who make
wrong turns, who insist on doing things their own way.”
Isaiah 65:2 (MSG)

God’s hands will SAVE and PRESERVE us
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28 (NIV)
Closing Truth: To ask for “God’s Hand to be with us” means...
1. I acknowledge I need God’s PRESENCE in all I do.
“It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only
power and success come from God.”
2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT)
2. I recognize that I am LIMITED in my own ABILITY to carry out God’s will.
“So he said to me, This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by
power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
3. I desire God’s POWER to fill me and do GREAT THINGS through me.
“The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to
the Lord.”
Acts 11:21 (NIV)